Dredging apparatus.



No. 636,775. Patented Nov. I4, |899. J. EDWARDS.

. DREDGING APPARATUS.

(No Model.) (Application led Apr. 7, 1899.)

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DREDGING APPARATUS.

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UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE..

JOSEPH EDWARDS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y;

REDGING APPARATUS.

srncrrIcATIoN forming part of Letters Patent No. 636,775, dated novemser 14, 189e.

Application led April 7, 1 8 9 9 T @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that' I, JOSEPH EDWARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dredging Apparatus; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,

' and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it apper'tains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to dredging apparatus, and particularly to improvements relating to suction-pipes employed in such apparatus; and one of the objects of the invention is to provide improved means for movably securing the suction-pipe proper in the sides ofthe vessel employed, so that'the great strain to which this pipe is subjected during the process of dredging, particularly during the rolling and pitching of the vessel or dredge, may be overcome.

Another object of the invention is to preventv the ingress of water into the vessel or dredge during the process of dredging, particularly around the opening therein in which the suction-pipe is movably mounted, and also the ingress of air into the pump at the joint or connection between the suction-pipe and the pump.

Another object of the invention is to provide a long supporting connection for the end of the suction-pipe, as when iron or similar vessels or dredges are employed the sides thereof are not sufficiently thick to constitute a serviceable support for this pipe.

A further object of the invention is to provide a long support for the suction-pipe having separate bearing surfaces or zones to prevent the cramping of the pipe during the movement thereof in the sides of the vessel.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists, essentially, in the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, substantially as hereinafter more fully described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l illustrates a cross-sectional view or outline of a vessel provided with this invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view, partly in Serial No. 712,151. (No model.)

elevation, of aportion of an iron vessel provided with this invention. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view of the hanger employed. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the collar or band used. Fig. 5 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 2, showing a construction employed in connection with wooden vessels; and Fig. 6 is a detail view of a collar or band employed with the latter construction.

Similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. l thereof, there is illustrated an outline or delineation of a vessel of any preferred construction to which the invention is shown as applied in order that the function and application thereof may be understood; but the form or construction of the vessel is not essential, and the same may be changed in practice, as that shown designates merely an exemplification of the invention.

Referring now to Fig. 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated a portion of a side of a vessel 1, preferably constructed of metal, and in the side of this vessel is formed asuitable opening, wherein is secured a sleeve or bearing 2, preferably provided with annular bearing surfaces or zones 3, any number whereof may be employed, and the free end of the bearing 2 is preferably provided with an annular recess constructed to receive or enter the opening in an annular bracket or support 4, having a laterally-projecting flange 5, by means of which it is secured upon the inner surface of the side or wall of the vessel, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. A hanger 6 is suitably connected with the deck 7 or other portion of the vessel and is provided with a stepped bore 8, adapted to receive the inner or movable end 9 of the suction-pipe, which passes through the bearing 2, and is preferably provided with an elbow 10, constructed to receive the depending portion of the suction-pipe (not shown) in the usual manner, and the elbow 10 is preferably provided with a stud or projection 11, having a reduced screw-threaded extremity to receive a retaining-nut l2 to retain a link or plate 13 in position thereon, or any other preferred construction may be employed in prac- IOO tice. Preferably suitably secured upon the deck or other portion of the vessel is a gooseneck or arm 14, provided with a bore or opening in the free end thereof to receive a supporting-rod or other device l5, which is preferably secured adjustably in said bore by means of nuts 16, and the other end of said rod is preferably bifurcated to pivotally receive the link or plate 13, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. By means of this superimposed supporting device the great strain occasioned upon the bearing of the suction-pipe during the process of dredging, and particularly bythe pitching or swaying of the Vessel and the weight of the excavated material in the pipe, is practically relieved and the suction-pipe is afforded support along the rotating center thereof, as will be readily undei-stood.

The movable portion 9 of a suction-pipe is preferably provided with an annular rib or flange 17, adapted to bear against the outer edge of the bearing 2 and prevent the passage of said portion inwardly, and outside of said ange and suitably connected with the sides of the vessel is a ring or band 18, preferably secured in position by bolts 19, and upon said ring and outside of said flange 17 is a movably-secured retaining band or ring 20, preferably made in two parts and desirably provided with apertured lugs 21, constructed to receive bolts or similar devices, whereby the parts thereof are detachably secured, and the ring 2O is preferably bolted or otherwise detachably secured to the band 18, as shown at 22, so that the outward movement of the portion 9 of the suction-pipe is prevented.

To prevent the ingress of water around the portion 9 of the suction-pipe, agland or similar device 23 is preferably connected with the free edge of the bracket 4, as shown, and a similar gland or other device 24is preferably connected with the hanger G to prevent the entrance of air around the extremity of the portion 9 of the suction-pipe during the operation of pumping the material therethrough.

It will be understood that the construction of the bearing of the suction-pipe will be the same whether employed on both sides of the vessel or at any other portion thereof, and the same is described and shown only in connection with one side of a vessel.

In Figs. 1, 5, and 6 the invention is illustrated as applied to a wooden vessel 30, provided with an opening or passage through which the suction-pipe extends and in which is mounted a bearing or sleeve 3l, preferably provided with an annular' rim 32, desirably provided with an annular recess 33 to receive an annular rib or flange 34 on a movable portion 35 of the suction-pipe, and said rim is preferably bolted or otherwise secured in position, as shown at 36 in Fig. 5 of the drawings. 'Ihe bearing 3l is preferably provided with annular bearing surfaces or zones 37, upon which the movable portion 35 of the suction-pipe turns, substantially in the man'- ner hereinbefore described, and a ring or band 3S is preferably secured around the inner end of the bearing 3l, and with this band is conneeted a gland 39, as shown. Around the movable portion 35 of the suction-pipe and over the rib 34 thereof is removably secured a two-part ring 39 to prevent the outward movement of the suction-pipe, and said ring is preferably bolted or otherwise secured to the flange 32 of the bearing 31, substantially in the manner shown. The portion 35 ofthe suctionpipe is preferably provided with an elbow 40, to which is connected the depending portion of the suction-pipe, as will be readily understood, and the elbow 40 is preferably provided with a stud or projection 41, approximately on a line with the axis of the portion 35 of the suction-pipe. The stud or projection 41 is preferably connected by links 42, adjustably united bya turnbuckle 43,with a plate 44, suitably connected with the vessel above the suction-pipe in order to provide a support for the latter. A brace or support 45 is preferably provided to support the end of a pipe 46, commmunicating with a pump or other apparatus, (not shown,) and one end of this pipe is preferably stepped to receive the free end of the portion 35 of the suction-pipe, and said end of the pipe 4b' is preferably provided with a gland 47 to prevent the ingress of air during the process of pumping materials through the suction-pipe.

The operation of the invention will be readily understood from the foregoing description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the following explanation thereof.

The depending portion (not shown) of the suction-pipe is preferably provided with a drag or digger, which rests upon the bed or bottom of the channel to be excavated, and the rolling and pitching of the vessel will be accommodated by the turning of the horizontal portion of the suction-pipe in the bearing in the side of the vessel, thus preventinginjury to the apparatus.

I do not desire to confine myself to the specific construction, combination, and arrangement of parts herein shown and described, and I therefore .reserve the right to make all such changes in and modications of the same as fairly come within the scope and spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A dredging apparatus provided with a tubular sleeve joint or bearing extending through and secured upon each face of the side of the apparatus below the water-line and a suction-pipe passing entirely through said bearing and movable in relation thereto.

2. A dredging apparatus provided with a tubular independent sleeve joint or bearing extending through and secured upon each face of the side of the apparatus below the water-line so as to inclose the opening in said IOO IIO

side wherein the bearing is mounted, and a suction-pipe passing entirely through said bearing and movably mounted therein.

3. A dredging apparatus provided with a sleeve joint or bearing in the side thereof beloW the deck having separate bearing surfaces or zones and a suction-pipe movably mounted within said bearing upon said zones.

4. A dredging apparatus provided with a sleeve joint or bearing in the side thereof having a counterbored attaching-flange cappingA the opening in said side and a suction-pipe Within said bearing having an annular collar to enter said counterbore.

5. A dredging apparatus provided with a sleeve joint or bearing in the side thereof having a counterbored attaching-ange capping the opening in said sides, a suction-pipe Within said bearing having an annular collar to enter said counterbore and means attached to said iiange outside of said collar to prevent the longitudinal movement of said pipe.

6. A dredging apparatus provided with a sleeve joint or bearing in the side thereof having a counterbored attaching-flange, a suction-pipe carrying a collar to enter said counterbore and a two-part ring attached to said flange outside of said collar to prevent the longitudinal movement of said pipe.-

7. A dredging apparatus provided With a sleeve joint or bearing in the side thereof having a counterbored attaching-ange, a suotion-pipe carrying a collar to enter said counterbore and a two-part ring having connecting-lugs and constructed to be secured to said iange outside of said collar.

S. A dredging apparatus constructed With thin sides having a sleeve joint or bearing extending through and beyond said sides and a device secured to said sides to support the free end of said bearing.

9. A dredging apparatus provided With a sleeve joint or bearing mounted in and eX- tending beyond the side thereof and having a recessed free end and an annular bracket or brace secured to said side having an opening to receive said recessed end.

10. A dredging apparatus provided with a main bearing in the side thereof and with an auxiliary bearing supported from above the main bearing and a suction-pipe mounted in both bearings.

11. A dredging apparatus provided with a main and a depending bearing, and a suctionpipe mounted in both bearings.

12. A dredging apparatus provided with an aperture and with a bearing supported from above said aperture and a suction-pipe passing through the latter and mounted in said bearing.

13. A dredging apparatus provided With an aperture and With a bearing supported from above said aperture, a suction-pipe passing through the latter and mounted in said bearing and means to prevent the passage of liquid through said bearing.

14. A dredging apparatus provided with a main bearing in the side thereof and with a depending bearing,- a pipe mounted on both bearings and a device attached to the deck of the apparatus to support the outboard portion of said pipe.

l5. A dredging apparatus provided with a main bearing in the side thereof and with a depending bearing, a pipe mounted in both bearings, and a device upon the deck of the apparatus to adj ustably support the outboard end of said pipe.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOSEPH EDWARDS.

Witnesses:

CHARLES S. ROGERS, D. N. ROGERS. 

